Top WTA players, including Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova, recently shared Valentine’s Day wishes with each other. Ahead of Galentine’s Day on February 13, the Tennis Channel shared a video of top players writing Valentine’s wishes on cards to each other in Doha, Qatar.
The majority of the top players are in Doha competing at the 2026 Qatar Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the season. Top seed Iga Swiatek and No. 3 Elena Rybakina are in action in the quarterfinals on Thursday, February 12, and the final is scheduled for Sunday, on Valentine’s Day.
Thanks for the submission!
Meanwhile, top-ranked American and the defending champion Amanda Anisimova’s campaign in Doha ended early, as she withdrew due to illness during the third set of her first-round match against Karolina Pliskova. Coco Gauff’s struggles continued with a first-round exit as she suffered a 6-4, 6-2 loss against a lucky loser, Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
However, despite a disappointing start to the 2026 season, Coco Gauff seemed thrilled after receiving a Valentine’s Day card from Amanda Anisimova.
“Keep spreading the joy,” Anisimova wrote.
“Thanks, Amanda, it’s so nice. Aww, that’s super sweet,” Coco Gauff replied. “I feel like Amanda’s been smiling a lot more off court. I feel like she’s happier, so. Oh, my god, my handwriting’s so bad, guys. Oh, wait, I forgot to actually sign.”
Meanwhile, rising Canadian youngsters Leylah Fernandez and Victoria Mboko wished each other ahead of Valentine’s Day.
“I like you more than pizza. You are an amazing friend and a wonderful person. Keep smiling and spreading love on and off the court,” Fernandez wrote in her message.
Finally, foe-turned-friends Jelena Ostapenko and Daria Kasatkina shared Valentine’s Day messages with each other.
After Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova’s earlier exit, Jelena Ostapenko, a two-time runner-up in Doha, has emerged as a title contender at the 2026 Qatar Open. The Latvian stormed into the semifinals with an easy win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the quarterfinals on Thursday, February 12.
“I haven’t showed up with my best level the last few matches”: Coco Gauff
Since the start of the 2026 season, Coco Gauff has failed to produce consistent results. She defeated Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the season-opening United Cup, but lost the Australian Open quarterfinal against the 19th seed Karolina Muchova, losing her No. 3 rank in the process.
At the Qatar Open, Gauff lost against a qualifier, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, in straight sets in the first round. All three of her defeats this season have come against players ranked outside the top 10 in the rankings. After her latest defeat in Doha, Gauff talked about her struggles in the recent matches and revealed her on-court frustrations.
“I just feel like I haven’t showed up with my best level the last few matches,” Gauff said in the post-match interview. “I’m just looking to find that again. I just feel like some of the things I’ve been working on in practice aren’t translating to the match court, which is super frustrating. I’ve been having good practices, but just not playing well in the matches. I just need to find how it can translate.”
Coco Gauff will participate in the Dubai Tennis Championships next, starting on February 15.
Edited by Mitali
